Destinations

Features

Hotels

Tours

Taj Lake Palace

One of the world’s most romantic destination hotels, the Palace floats like a beautiful white ship on the waters of Lake Pichola, with 360-degree views of surrounding Udaipur. Expertly managed and staffed by the Taj group, the service is flawless, cuisine standards are high, and the overall experience unforgettable.

Check availability

Rooms from

£214per night

Check-in

Check-out

Occupancy

Rooms

Adults

Children

Ages of children

Location

10/10

Located directly opposite the ramparts of the larger City Palace, the edge-to-edge island Lake Palace enjoys picturesque 360-degree lake and city views. It’s marvelous to feel so remote from the city, floating in tranquil luxury, then zip over at the drop off a hat and be on the city streets within minutes.

Style & character

10/10

Built in 1743 as a summer escape and pleasure resort by the royal dynasty of Mewar, it was converted into a hotel when the Maharana started accepting paying guests in the 1960s. The transition to hotel has been seamless, with the original fountains and fretwork expanded to include 66 luxury rooms. Lake Palace was used as a key location in the Bond film, Octopussy, and it still oozes glamour and decadence.

Service & facilities

10/10

Clichéd or not, you will be treated like royalty. The Taj group (vying with Oberoi as the top hotel chain in India, though Taj managed to bag the best heritage hotels) have managed Lake Palace since the 1971, and over the years they have truly perfected the experience. Every room comes with round-the-clock butler service. Facilities worth highlighting are the on-tap water taxi to the city pier, a floating spa, and a fair-sized swimming pool.

Bar

Fitness centre

Laundry

Parking

Pool

Restaurant

Room service

Spa

Wi-Fi

Rooms

9/10

All sumptuously decorated with rich colours and quality Indian textiles, and all featuring a view of some kind; I’d recommend you specify that yours is of the City Palace. If you can afford it don’t think twice on splurging on one of the heritage suites, particularly a corner suite: the Chandra Prakash Suite (Lustre of the Moon) was incidentally the first choice of the maharaja.

Food & drink

9/10

Sunset drinks on the rooftop are de rigeur, followed by a choice of four restaurants, specialising in Asian, Indian, Italian and Western. You can also ask your butler to set up a private table just about anywhere you want, and order from any one of the four menus; as always, Indian is best.

Value for money

8/10

Double Luxury rooms from INR34,866 (£340) in low season; rising to INR50,251 (£490) for a Heritage Suite in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. (Note that at certain times of year, such as Festive Season, rates are subject to hikes.)